Heidi’s Kids offering free grocery delivery for seniors

Heidi’s Kids & COVID-19

Katherine Hoffman, left, and Emily Tatum, volunteers with Heidi’s Kids, load bags of groceries into their vehicle after picking up items at a Walmart in Trussville to deliver to a lady in Moody on Monday, April 6, 2020. Heidi’s Kids has transitioned to making grocery deliveries to senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Heidi’s Kids & COVID-19

Emily Tatum, left, and Katherine Hoffman, volunteers with Heidi’s Kids, load bags of groceries into their vehicle after picking up items at a Walmart in Trussville to deliver to a lady in Moody on Monday, April 6, 2020. Heidi’s Kids has transitioned to making grocery deliveries to senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Heidi’s Kids & COVID-19

Katherine Hoffman a volunteer with Heidi’s Kids, places a teddy bear atop bags of groceries on the front porch of a resident’s home in Moody on Monday, April 6, 2020. Heidi’s Kids has transitioned to making grocery deliveries to senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Heidi Marimberga started her charity, Heidi’s Kids, 12 years ago when her daughters were young. One of their relatives was dealing with a medical condition and they decided to sell lemonade as a way to raise money to help with medical expenses.

The first weekend, they had three lemonade stands and raised over $1,000.

“Once we realized we could raise the money, I posted a photo on my Facebook page of them giving her a check and people started to ask how they could help," Marimberga said.

The charity continues to do toy drives at Christmas, sends care packages to soldiers and other things.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Marimberga wanted to do something to help. The idea came from her 91-year-old grandfather who can’t work an app or computer to order groceries online.

“We thought we could offer this service for free for people on a fixed income, those who can’t afford to pay, and all seniors over the age of 60,” Marimberga said. “We are also are delivering to anyone with a compromised immune system or disability. If you feel like you need the service, we will offer it.”

Marimberga has a volunteer team made up of 12 girls from Chelsea. Most are college students, two of which have already graduated, and they all live in different areas now, making it convenient to serve people in Shelby, Jefferson and St. Clair counties.

“Some live in Chelsea, some in Springville, others are in Alabaster, Pelham and Columbiana,” she said. “I pair them with someone who lives in their area and is familiar with the grocery stores.”

Heidi’s Kids made their first delivery on March 27 and has been busy ever since, making around eight deliveries each day. At the end of their first week, they will have made around around 50 total deliveries.

Once a person contacts Heidi’s Kids via Facebook or phone, Heidi gets their information and assigns them a volunteer who will do a follow up call to get their grocery list and set a delivery time, usually the next day.

Heidi has also started giving teddy bears with all of the grocery orders so people can put them in their window for kids to see when they go for a “bear hunt” in their neighborhoods.

The team adheres to strict safety standards. The girls wear masks and gloves when they get to the car and unload the groceries and wipe the trunk with disinfectant wipes. They throw the gloves away in a trash bag before disinfecting the trunk.

When the delivery is on the way, the girls call and give the person their total so they can collect payment once they arrive. Money is left at the door and the groceries are dropped off without any contact. Customers can pay with cash, check or Venmo.

“Everyone has been super sweet,” Marimberga said. “They will be standing in their windows waving and yelling thank you and some are putting out bottles of water and sweet notes.”

Saranne Humphrey is one of the people who has already been blessed by Heidi’s Kid’ grocery delivery. Humphrey, a resident of Grayson Valley near Trussville, found them on Facebook and messaged to see if they could help

“I sent them my information and they got right back with me and assigned me Meagan, my angel," Humphrey said. "She is an excellent shopper. She got what I needed, left it right on my porch for me and all I had to do was leave the money outside.”

Humphrey is a cancer survivor, has had a brain aneurysm and also has asthma, so she isn’t supposed to be out. Her daughter is a nurse, and she’s been afraid to come help.

“They have been wonderful making sure I have what I need,” Humphrey said. “They checked on me and said I could call them between deliveries if needed.”

Since the amount of time social distancing will be in place is unknown, Marimberga said she and her team are going to continue the service as long as they can.

“The main thing is masks and gloves for my volunteers,” she said. “As long as I can keep my volunteers safe while doing it, we are going to continue doing it.”

Marimberga said that some people have given the girls tips, which she lets them keep, and others have written checks to the charity.

For more information, visit Heidi’s Kids on Facebook at facebook.com/littlehandsdoingbigthings or call (205) 957-5500. A link to donate is also located on the Facebook page, which goes to fuel costs to make the deliveries.